No surprise that as another summer turns around the league, all eyes are on LeBron James, who not only is at the top of the free agent market, but will have something to say about how the rest of the trade market shakes out. Let’s get into another round of NBA trade rumors …
It won’t quite be on the level of the late June/early July wave of mega-trades we saw in the NBA, but the expectation is that there will be more trades coming once we see where James decides to play next year.
The Warriors, with Moses Moody on hand, will likely need to make a deal to free up room to sign James and keep Draymond Green in place–they currently have about $23 million to do so, and with 10 on the roster, would need to fit four players into that slot, including James and Green.
The Cavaliers have explored ways to move Max Strus and/or Dennis Schroder to loosen their payroll, and the possibility of a bigger deal in Cleveland (Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley) can’t be ruled out.
If James goes to the Heat, expect Miami to be aggressive in finding another win-now veteran to add to the mix. Nikola Jovic would be the most likely option to send out, though the Heat have obviously limited draft capital to attach.
It would be a shock if James chose Denver or Minnesota, and the Nuggets would need to clear out space–Cam Johnson is most likely to go–for him. The Wolves would probably like to move Josh Green on, but that won’t be easy. Instead, they’d look to make a back-of-the-roster move. The Wolves are hard-capped at the second apron.
The Sixers would be alone on this list as a team that probably would not need to make a move after adding James.
NBA Trade Rumors: More Moses Moody, Cam Johnson
Though there is wishful thinking in some corners, we’re told the Pistons are holding firm on trading Jalen Duren. They’re not doing a sign-and-trade, and will simply try to wait out their star big man in restricted free agency. The Pistons and Duren are not close on a deal, but there is still a lot of summer left, and that is enough for Detroit. “They’ve shut everything down on that,” one GM said.
Duren has a $9.6 million qualifying offer on the table for next season.
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Moody remains a notable trade candidate for the Warriors, because of his age (24), his salary (two years, $26 million left) and his injury. He tore his patellar tendon in March and his return timeline is uncertain. He has value on the market, as one NBA executive noted, but new NBA anti-tanking rules aren’t helping.
They said: “In most years, they could definitely get a good return on him, get a guy who could help you win now. If you’re a tanking team, you would take him in a heartbeat and park him for next year and then you’ve got a great role player in two years, still young. But look, no one is tanking. So, what are you going to do with a guy who might not play?”
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According to The Stein Line, restricted free agent Peyton Watson’s sign-and-trade market includes Milwaukee in addition to the Hawks and the Clippers. The Nuggets’ intentions remain mysterious, as they’ve signaled they would match offers for Watson, but are also perilously close to landing above the second apron (their payroll is about $211 million for 12 players, around $8 million below the second apron, though they are not hard-capped). The Nuggets have a $6.5 million qualifying offer for Watson which would be his salary next year if there is no contract or sign-and-trade. They also have a $2.5 million QO for another restricted free agent, Spencer Jones.
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Chatter suggests that Cam Johnson will be on the trade market in earnest to create room to address the Denver logjam, but the Nuggets can’t completely salary dump him–there isn’t much cap space left on the market and at $23 million, Johnson’s salary is high enough that Denver would have to take back a deal within 125% of his salary.
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Another clue on the future of Anthony Davis with the Wizards, from GM Will Dawkins speaking on NBA Radio: “AD is in DC and wants to be in DC, and we’re going to keep him there.”
NBA Trade Rumors: Star Update
LeBron James is still on the market, but we’re getting skeptical on the notion of more stars being shipped out this summer. Still, some candidates remain
Kevin Durant, Rockets. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) There does not seem to be a market for Durant, who is 37 and has $90 million over two years on his contract. Rumors of Pistons interest has faded as the focus there is on re-signing Jalen Duren. Maybe a Durant deal comes back up after that gets done? It’s a longshot.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) The Nuggets are on track to operate over the second apron, which is not a place any team–especially a Kroenke team–likes to operate. Dealing Murray could shave some money off the cap but he was an All-Star last year and dumping him might be too much to ask of the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis, Wizards. (Remaining contract: two years, $121 million, including player option.) Davis has been the subject of much speculation this offseason, but around the league, there isn’t a sense he is going to be dealt. The Wizards would like to get Davis on the floor and see if he can help them compete for a playoff spot. If not, he could be dealt by the February trade deadline.
Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) It just does not appear that the Warriors are looking to move Butler. He’s the team’s main path to adding another star, as he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery. There are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix, and the Warriors are not likely to find a player who is better than Butler when healthy.
NBA Trade Rumors: The Young Crowd
It’s hard to bring in a young star–or even a young potential star–on the trade market. But there could be some wrangling for these guys, the 25-and-under (OK, 26 for Trey Murphy) crowd.
Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody him self said he is “curious” about what will happen to him on the trade market if James comes to Golden State. He has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season.
Jalen Duren, Pistons. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) Sign-and-trade options for Duren are all but extinguished–were the Pistons ever really weighing a deal with the Kings for Domantas Sabonis? The Pistons have made moves to be able to give Duren more money, and that’s the likely way this all plays out.
Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) Murphy is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, but there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there’s been no movement yet.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: four years, $223 million.) We’re not taking Mobley off the list just yet. If LeBron James goes to Cleveland, Mobley could be nudged back into the NBA trade-rumor arena because the roster is far too expensive and the guy who will most likely suffer is Mobley. Cleveland could take back a good haul for him.
Peyton Watson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) The long restricted free-agent slog is on for Watson, and the Nuggets have surprised many by not being aggressive in moving players to create some breathing room to keep Watson. The sign-and-trade market reportedly includes the Clippers, Hawks and Bucks, but there is not much that would attract the Nuggets’ attention on a deal.
Eastern Conference Targets: Cavaliers Options
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: three years, $90 million.) As with Mobley, if the Cavs entice LeBron James to Cleveland, Allen could be trade bait. It’s more likely that Allen gets traded than Mobley, and the Cavaliers could get some relief and a contributor. Allen is a standard offensive center but is a valued rim-runner who can protect the paint.
Max Strus, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $16 million.) The Cavs are trying hard to fit everything under the second apron, and that likely means moving off Strus, if they can find a taker. He would be sacrificed to get LeBron James in.
Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $14.6 million.) Schroder has played for 11 teams in the NBA so far, and the Cavs would be open to making it 12 as they seek to duck the second apron and still stay in the contending picture.
Myles Turner, Bucks. (Remaining contract: three years, $80 million.) Milwaukee has little incentive to keep Turner, but reports suggest they are not shopping him. The Bucks don’t control their next draft picks in the four coming drafts, so they can’t exactly tank or seek to get into the lottery. Still, the Bucks have more to gain by playing young bigs Dieng and Kel’El Ware significant minutes so he could keep popping up in NBA trade rumors.
Michael Porter Jr., Nets. (Remaining contract: one year, $40 million, partial guarantee.) Rumors have started cropping up about Porter Jr., but the Nets have not gotten the kind of draft-asset offers they’d hoped for. New draft rules mean the Nets will want to be competitive next season, so Porter could stick around and be dealt at the February deadline.
Derrick White, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $98 million.) The Celtics were not as disappointed in White and his terrible shooting season (39.4% from the field) as the rest of us, so it is doubtful they will move him in the end. But after the Brown trade, the door is at least open.
Western Conference Targets: Blazers Backcourt
Keldon Johnson, Spurs. (Remaining contract: one year, $17.5 million.) The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is heading into the final season of his contract, and San Antonio is likely to phase out his minutes in favor of younger players. He is still a valued leader on the team, but he could be a chip worth cashing in if the Spurs can land a first-round pick.
Domantas Sabonis, Kings. (Remaining contract: two years, $93 million.) Sabonis has had some nibbles, but no bites. There was a rumor that the Hornets were planning to trade for him, but that proved fruitless. Then there was the Jalen Duren sign-and-trade with the Pistons, which was far-fetched from the beginning. This one might have to wait until the season gets going.
Jrue Holiday, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $72 million, with player option.) Certainly, something has to give in Portland with the arrival of Morant. Holiday is not getting any younger, but he has value around the NBA.
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $74 million, including player option.) The Wolves might be a longshot for LeBron James, but they’re holding steady to see what happens with him going forward. If he lands elsewhere, the Wolves will need to evaluate their frontcourt and could find that dealing Gobert, who is up for an extension this summer, is their best bet to bring in younger options.
Zach LaVine, Kings. (Remaining contract: one year, $49 million.) LaVine picked up the player option worth $49 million. There was some hope that he could be waived, but after the Kings let DeMar DeRozan go, they’ll keep LaVine on the books and hope they can find a place to dump him.
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $110 million.) Gordon has struggled to stay healthy, but is still a valued connective piece when he plays. He needs to be a No. 3/4 option on a good team, and teams aren’t falling over themselves to cough up assets for that, and the Nuggets have not pushed hard for a trade.
Daniel Gafford, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team’s top options. The concern is whether the guy the Mavs want to be their stalwart center–Dereck Lively II–can stay healthy. Lively has played 98 games in three seasons.
PJ Washington, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 4 years, $90 million.) Like Gafford, Washington is aging out of the Mavericks’ timeline, as he turns 28 this summer. He’s a stretch 4 who plays good defense, but his shooting has been suspect–he made just 32.5% of his 3s last year. Washington’s extension kicks in this year, though, so he might be a better trade target down the line.
Klay Thompson, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: one year, $17 million.) Another aging Mav! Thompson does not fit Dallas’s timeline, and if the Mavs can get anything–youth, a few second-rounders–for him, they will. He’s still a 38% 3-point shooter. The addition of Tarik Biberovic is more incentive to move Thompson.
Cam Johnson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: one year, $23 million.) Johnson has been a disaster in Denver, and he has been a prominent feature on the NBA trade rumor mill for years now. He still has enough of a reputation around the league to warrant trade interest, but a report from The Stein Line suggests the Nuggets are not going that route … yet.
What’s Been Done: NBA’s Blockbusters
The NBA has had a busy summer, interspersed with some controversy. Here’s what’s happened so far …
Celtics-Sixers Trade
Jaylen Brown, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $183 million.) The Celtics set out to find a package of four first-round picks or a young superstar, but came away with about half that. A 2028 first-round pick that could convert to a swap, Philly’s 2031 unprotected first-rounder, and two second-round picks.
Paul George, Sixers. (Remaining contract: two years, $110 million, including player option). George has been healthy for just 78 games over the last two seasons, and the Celtics could look to trade him off, either in the short-term or the longer term.
Heat-Bucks Trade
The deal that kicked off the summer was the one most expected to be expanded, but wound up staying a two-teamer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Remaining contract: two years, $120 million.) TRADED to Heat. The deal is done, and Antetokounmpo is off to Miami. Bobby Portis also is going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.
Bobby Portis, Bucks. (Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including player option.) TRADED to Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.
Tyler Herro, Heat. (Remaining contract: one year, $33 million.) TRADED to Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick. But the Bucks could still seek to move Herro before the trade becomes official.
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
Hornets-Timberwolves-Nets-Bulls Trade
The Wolves have combined their two major transactions, which may be expanded further still before the whole deal is finalized.
LaMelo Ball. (Remaining contract: three years, $131 million.) TRADED to Timberwolves. Ball will connect with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota as the team tries to give the offense a strong No. 2 scoring option without moving off of Jaden McDaniels. The Hornets will get Naz Reid and a first-round pick in 2033, plus three swaps and three second-round picks. This deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.
Naz Reid. (Remaining contract: three years, $103 million). TRADED to Hornets. The Wolves did not want to trade Reid, of course, and now are faced with a severe weakness in the frontcourt. But they feel the cost of replacing him was outweighed by the Ball opportunity. Again, this deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.
Julius Randle. (Remaining contract: two years, $69 million including player option.) TRADED to Nets. Randle is heading to the Nets after a miserable playoff performance sent up subtle shots from teammates and wide calls to ship out Randle. The Wolves did so, and used the resulting flexibility to re-sign Dosunmu and acquire LaMelo Ball.
Nic Claxton. (Remaining contract: two years, $42 million.) TRADED to Bulls. The Bulls gave up next to nothing as the Nets were looking to simply clear Claxton off their books. Chicago is hoping for a bounce back now that he is out of Brooklyn.
Grizzlies-Blazers trade
Ja Morant. (Remaining contract: two years, $86 million.) TRADED to Blazers. Portland took the gamble on Morant, sending out Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, finally giving some closure to the Grizz.
Jerami Grant. (Remaining contract: two years, $70 million.) TRADED to Memphis. Memphis could ride it out with Grant, but might look to flip him elsewhere, perhaps during the season.
Clippers-Pistons-Grizzlies-Mavericks-Wizards-Bucks Trade
A classic NBA deal that started as Isaiah Stewart going to Memphis, but has ballooned since. We’ll arrange this one by team for clarity’s sake.
GRIZZLIES GET: Isaiah Stewart, D’Angelo Russell, AJ Johnson, five second-round picks. (Lose: Santi Aldama.)
PISTONS GET: John Collins, Taurean Prince, Gary Harris. (Lose: Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser.)
CLIPPERS GET: Trade exception. (Lose: John Collins.)
WIZARDS GET: Khris Middleton. (Lose: D’Angelo Russell.)
BUCKS GET: Caris LeVert. (Lose: Taurean Prince, Gary Harris, AJ Johnson.)
MAVERICKS GET: Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser. (Lose: Khris Middleton.)
Raptors-Clippers Trade
Now, the NBA has undone this trade as it works out punishment for the Aspiration scandal, but it’s still likely to get done once that situation is settled.
Kawhi Leonard. (Remaining contract: one year, $50 million.) TRADED to Toronto. Despite the lingering Aspiration scandal, the Clippers moved Leonard to the Raptors for a package of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks (2031 and 2033), plus a swap and two second-round picks.
Brandon Ingram. (Remaining contract: two years, $81 million, team option.) TRADED to LA Clippers. Ingram heads to LA in the Kawhi Leonard deal.
Pistons-Thunder Trade
Isaiah Joe. (Remaining contract: Two years, $22.6 million, including team option.) TRADED to Pistons. Joe was dealt to the Pistons in a salary dump as Oklahoma City wrestles with cutting payroll while still maintaining status as a Finals contender. Joe averaged 11.1 points and made 42.3% of his 3s last year.
Suns-Hornets Trade
Miles Bridges. (Remaining contract: One year, $22 million) TRADED to Suns. The interest in Bridges was limited because of his 2022 domestic abuse case, but the Suns decided they could stomach that history. The Hornets are sending the Suns a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-rounder.
NBA Trade Rumors: Next Wave of Deals, Jalen Duren Sign-&-Trade, More